Harrisburg, PA — The seven Pennsylvania bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released a letter June 18 in support of legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Public Relations Act to prohibit discrimination in areas of employment, housing and public accommodation on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or...
Category: Bishop
June 19, 2015
PA Bishops Support Anti-Discrimination Bill
Harrisburg, PA — The seven Pennsylvania bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America released a letter June 18 in support of legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania Public Relations Act to prohibit discrimination in areas of employment, housing and public accommodation on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or...
June 15, 2015
Save Dates for Bishop’s Convocation
Save the dates! This year’s Bishop’s Convocation will be held November 18 – 20, 2015 (Wednesday through Friday) at Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center, 101 Doe Mountain Lane, Macungie, PA 18062. (Not to be confused with the Camp in Northeastern PA Synod.) “Thinking outside the walls: Surprising spaces to be the church” will feature Bryan Berghoef and...
June 4, 2015
2015 Assembly Highlights
At the 2015 Assembly, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod articulated a new vision for what it means for the Synod, congregations and leaders to move Forward Together in Faith and launched a three-year capital appeal to allow us to live into that vision. The Assembly also heard that congregations’ mission support increased for the second year...
May 18, 2015
Bishops Call for Education Equity
“The area I serve, the five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania has the distinction of having the highest spending district per student and also the highest poverty district,” Bishop Claire Burkat said at a press conference in Harrisburg in which three Pennsylvania bishops called on the legislature to find an equitable way to fund schools in the...
May 12, 2015
Bishop: Embrace Our Shifting Culture
Bishop Claire Burkat is excited about the sense of excitement and renewal she is hearing all around the synod. She is excited about what we are building together and the response to the Forward Together in Faith campaign. She feels refreshed that we are becoming less attached to bricks and mortar and more to building...
May 8, 2015
Unlocking the Future
Bishop Claire Burkat invited worshipers at the 2015 Assembly’s opening Eucharist to keep our fear in perspective as we courageously meet the challenges of ministry in the 21st century. To do this we remember the promises of God and the gifts God gives to unlock the secrets of doing ministry in a rapidly changing world....
March 17, 2015
Religious Leaders Oppose Anti-Muslim Ads
Join the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia (RLC) in supporting our Muslim neighbors and opposing a hate campaign scheduled to appear in the SEPTA transit system this spring. The RLC affirms free speech while vigorously rejecting hate-filled messages like these that have appeared in several other cities in a campaign by the American Freedom...
January 8, 2015
In Closing, St. John Shares Light
Updated Jan. 9 with link to Inquirer article. When members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pottstown, extinguished their candles for the last time on Epiphany night, the light didn’t go out. St. John’s held its final worship service after 72 years ministering to South Pottstown on Jan. 6. “We have always ended Epiphany worship...
December 16, 2014
Pastoral Message on Montgomery County Shootings
In the wake of an horrific murder spree across Montgomery County that left six people dead and police conducting a wide search for a suspect, Bishop Claire Burkat calls the Synod to prayer and acts of compassion for those affected and for communities traumatized by the events. “Many will ask, ‘Where was God?'” the bishop writes....
December 11, 2014
Christmas Message: A Life Worth Living
In her 2014 Advent/Christmas message, Bishop Claire S. Burkat reflects on Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, a Spirit-filled encounter that may have allowed the realization of God’s great promise and fulfillment that was visited upon Mary begin to really sink in. “God did not promise Mary an easy life, a trouble free heart, an unburdened mind…but God promised her a...
November 30, 2014
Keeping Watch After Ferguson
There are no easy solutions to the inequalities that fueled the rage and despair that erupted in Ferguson, Mo. last week, Bishop Claire Burkat writes in a pastoral message to the Synod. Christians are called to find a third way between our cultural impulses to fan the flames of discord or trivialize others experience. “We...
November 21, 2014
Bishops Address Immigration
“As people of faith and leaders of the church, we support public policy that protects children, reunites families, and cares for the most vulnerable, regardless of their place of birth,” the ELCA Conference of Bishops wrote in a Nov. 20 statement on immigration. “Each day in our congregations and in our service to the community,...
October 20, 2014
Standing Strong Against Ebola
Updated Oct. 27 with new video. In the face of the Ebola outbreak that has stricken West Africa, several hundred people – Africans and Americans, from several faith traditions – gathered Sunday (Oct. 19) to pray together, console each other, and build bridges of hope rather than barriers of fear. Crush Ebola from sepasynod@gmail.com on...
June 15, 2014
FAQ: Same-Gender Marriage in Pennsylvania
Following a U.S. District Court ruling on May 20, 2014, and the Corbett administration’s decision not to appeal, same-gender marriage is now legal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. – Download a copy of this document – May Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod congregations and pastors participate in same-gender marriages? As the legal ban in our state...
June 15, 2014
Pastoral Letter: Same-Gender Marriage and the Church
In a pastoral letter to the Synod, Bishop Claire Burkat addresses the implications of the recent court decision lifting Pennsylvania’s ban on same-gender marriage, and the Corbett Administration’s decision not to appeal it, which makes same-gender marriages legal in the commonwealth. As congregations may choose to perform such marriages legally, the bishop writes, “I believe...
June 11, 2014
Convocation Explores Generosity, Generations
For the first time in history, six generations are living and worshipping in our congregations simultaneously. To thrive congregations must find ways to relate to all of these cohorts, even though they respond to very different approaches to faith formation and institutional support. Join us at the 2014 Bishop’s Convocation as we explore the connection...
May 13, 2014
Assembly OKs Mission Advancement Campaign
The Assembly voted unanimously to continue work with Kairos and Associates on the development of a Mission Advancement Campaign to develop resources to reshape the Synod for the work of equipping leaders and congregations to engage their communities and deepen discipleship of their members. Prior to presenting the resolution from Synod Council, Vice President Tracey...
May 8, 2014
Join the Conspiracy
“I want to invite you all to join a new Christian conspiracy,” Bishop Claire Burkat challenged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod in her address to the 2014 Assembly. “What does it mean to in the 21st Century to conspire with Christ and one another to heal and bless the world in whatever ways God is leading...
May 4, 2014
Videos from 2014 Assembly
Video coverage of Synod Assembly presentations are available online at the links below: Complete 2014 Synod Assembly video playlist Friday Rev. Mark Hanson Sermon Rev. Mark Hanson Keynote Treasurer’s Report ELCA Representative Presentation by Ms. Judith Roberts Recognition of Approved Candidates Saturday Bishop Burkat’s Sermon Kairos & Associates/David Lose presentation Moments with our Missionaries Bishop...
